Page 234 of Trick or Stalk

“I want you to chase me.”

The look he gives me nearly changes my mind for an entirely different reason.

Jesus Christ.

He steps backward.

“How long do I get?”

His smile makes my pulse jump. “Thirty seconds.”

I stare at him.

“That's it?”

He smirks. “One minute.”

Fuck.

“Cocky bastard.”

“Fifty-nine.”

My mouth drops open. “You started already?”

“Fifty-eight.”

“Hades!”

“Fifty-seven.”

I turn and look at the woods. There’s a smaller, rockier trail in the distance.

“Fifty-five.”

“Oh, fuck you.”

“That's the plan.”

My entire body ignites. “HADES.”

“Fifty-three.”

I run.

His laughter follows me into the trees.

For the first few seconds, this is hilarious. Freeing.

I follow the smaller trail, the leaves rustling beneath my boots. I nearly slip on a large pile of them and grab a tree for balance.

I push farther into the woods, my lungs already burning.

Be quiet.

But it’s hard.

I’m not used to running, let alone doing it on uneven terrain.